Which Rain Jacket

I have the Marmot Essence and love it. The only draw back would be no pockets for my hands, but other than that it is a good rain jacket. I have used it all summer so far and I went through one rain storm and it did all that it said it would do.

I looked at both the jacket and pullover. I ended up with the pullover because I already carry a lightweight nylon windjacket w/ full zip.

Also, I won’t have to worry about zipper failure w/ the pullover–which I doubt–I’ll be using except in worst conditions.

I found that it accomodated the micropuff vest along with 2 shirts and a nylon coat w/o feeling uncomfortable or pinched.

It is an expensive item at $230 but the welded seams, 6.5oz, small pack size, and solid cut seem to make it standout…

With all that, I have yet to go through anything torrential in it–but needless to say–I’m more than confident in the product even if I had to pay double what some other shells cost. But then again this is how we save 3-8ozs over other waterproof layers. So I’d go this or a trashbag honestly. No sense in a 1lb raincoat/sauna for backpacking.

p.s.-marmot has great gear also but I ended up returning my precip for the specter…

I weighed a large size MH Epic jacket and Marmot Essence jacket at home. The Epic was 14.5 oz and the Essence 8.5 oz. Although the Epic is full featured, the Essence material is lighter and thinner and seems more breathable(suppposedly 50% more breathable than the regular precip). I went with the Essence because it is a great fit and minimal design does get at the essence of what a jacket should be. The Epic was bulky and uncomfortable and heavy.